president obama ran unopposed for his party's nomination and seems like a shoo-in for re-election. >> don't boo. vote. >> reporter: sluggish economy, high unemployment and no clear plan for recovery made the 44th president vulnerable. >> the president's policies have clearly not been successful reigniting this economy, in putting people back to work. >> reporter: earning his party's nomination was not quite as easy for former massachusetts governor mitt romney. after first being declared the winner of iowa caucuses a ballot glitch was discovered and he had to share the win with rick santorum. even though romney went on to win decisive victories in key primary states eventually the republican nominee he emerged from the battle bruised. >> i don't see how a massachusetts liberal will do better. >> he is the worst republican in the country to put up against barack obama. >> reporter: romney's campaign saw several ups and downs but appearing confident and in command during the first debate romney threw president obama off his game with the president delivering a surprisingly shaky perform